A turn up for the books.

Quentin Cooper investigates how science and technology is being used to help reform an institution that has been with us for 150 years. He explores attitudes to public libraries and vists the new public library in Norwich, built to replace the original which burnt down in 1944, and the new public library in Malmo, Sweden, where modern technology and architectual design have been used to create a friendlier and more relaxed environment. He also visits the British Library to find out how bibliotechnology is being used to òpen up' the archive material for more public use, and how new digitisation methods are transforming the way material is viewed. He also visits a mobile library in Derby, where computers and a lap-top have been added to the libraries stock of books, CD's and DVD's. The consensus seems to be that libraries need to change their role to become educational by embracing new information technology and by creating an atmoshere which will encourage new users from across the whole community.